Colombia Reflection IV

This weekend is Days of Action and Prayer for Colombia. The Colombian Mennonite churches have made an appeal for their Global Family of Faith (particularly in North America) to pray for them and take action to help solve the injustices. Particularly for the US, they were asking for people to engage their government over PLAN Colombia, the American military mission to supposedly rid Colombia of its drug problem. It hasn't worked and has exacerbated the violence in the rural communities. For Canada, we are encouraged to engage with our government on the issue of Corporate Responsibility and strengthening regulations that will force mining and other extraction based businesses to be held to the same standard oversees as they are in Canada. Unknown to many Canadians, the Toronto Stock Exchange is the primary exchange in the world for listings of resource based companies, so this is particularly relevant to us.
I was worship leading at TUMC this morning, so I was able to work this call for action into the service. I'll share the following prayer that I wrote for this purpose.

Let us now join in solidarity with our Brothers and Sisters in Colombia by answering their call to prayer. There are five candles here at the front that will be lit to symbolize five different groups that I will identify. After each segment, a candle will be lit, and then I invite you to join me with: “Lord, hear our prayer”. Let’s pray…

God, today we come before you to pray for the people of Colombia. A land so rich and so beautiful. Yet it is ravaged by war. A war that has drawn on for decades. Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those that persecute us. And so, we pray for the armed groups in Colombia, who perpetrate violence and fear. The Paramilitary – groups that intimidate and kill on behalf of the highest bidder. The Guerilla groups – who have lost their ideology of social reform and seem now to fight only for personal gain. The national army that is supposed to protect the people, but often are no better than the illegal groups they fight against. On all sides, soldiers are conscripted by law or by force, and they are made to believe propaganda about the other side. We pray for the ordinary foot soldiers – pawns in a deadly game. We pray also for the commanders and leaders who understand the situation, but choose to continue fighting to feed their desire for wealth and power. God teach us how to reach out to those in power and change their minds. And help us to realize that even they are your children.

Lord, hear our prayer.

God, we pray for the victims of war, injustice, and inequality. For the millions of internally displaced people who have been forced to flee their homes. Most of us can not imagine losing our homes. But we do understand the value of a safe place to call home. And for those who do have a home, but an insufficient income to eat a healthy diet or send their children to school. We pray for social transformation in Colombia so that all can share in abundance.

Lord, hear our prayer.

God, we pray for church leaders in Colombia. How many hundreds of pastors must be assassinated for being neutral, refusing to pick sides. We think of Diego, the Mennonite economist who can only preach or even attend his church sporadically and secretly lest he be hunted down. Pastors in Colombia are constantly under attack, not for advancing the cause of any human authority, but just for preaching the Gospel. We pray for an awakening for all Colombians, for an understanding that breaks down the mantra of “if you’re not with us, you’re against us.” Help all Colombians to be open to a third way. Give the church leaders the courage and strength to continue to teach and preach your third way.

Lord, hear our prayer.

God, we pray for the people in Colombia who are following the way of peace. For the participants in the ASVIDAS programs and other community development projects. For the people who march in the streets, and just say NO to violence. People are living lives of peace and being persecuted for it. These are modern day Anabaptists. They remind us that our Anabaptist heritage is not a trophy to put on our shelf, but something to live out. It needs to be an integral part of who we are. God, for your people in Colombia, committed to peace, we give you thanks.

Lord, hear our prayer.

God, we pray for our various Church agencies in Colombia. Mencoldes, as they work for community development. Justapaz, as they develop policy alternatives that lead to justice and peace. Christian Peacemaker Teams as they get in the way of violence while getting in the way of Christ. Mennonite Central Committee, as they partner with these and other organizations to help bring about change. Participants of the recent MCC learning tour were reminded that the Colombian Church agencies are the fruit of seeds planted by North American missionaries more than 50 years ago. God we are thankful that you have nourished these seeds over the years and given us an abundant harvest. Yet we know that the work is not done. We ask you to be with the church agencies and give them the strength to continue. Give them faith when hope falters.

Lord, hear our prayer.

We are crying out to you today, praying for justice and peace to wash over Colombia, and indeed, over your whole creation. We join our voices today with churches all over North America. Lord, listen to you people praying. May peace reign. May love reign. Amen.